Book details
The Native Races [of the Pacific states], Volume 4, Antiquities / The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 4
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Metadata
- Gutenberg ID
- 44104
- Title
- The Native Races [of the Pacific states], Volume 4, Antiquities / The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 4
- Language
- en
- Book source
- Project Gutenberg
- Description max 80 words
-
Hubert Howe Bancroft's monumental survey of American antiquities details material relics from the Pacific States to Peru, arguing that New Mexican ruins belong to ancestral Pueblo peoples rather than extinct civilizations or Aztec migrants.
- Summary up to 500 words
-
Hubert Howe Bancroft's *The Native Races of the Pacific States, Volume IV: Antiquities* serves as a comprehensive encyclopedic record of archaeological remains across North and South America. The volume systematically catalogs ancient monuments ranging from stone implements and pottery to monumental pyramids and mounds, spanning regions from Costa Rica and Peru to the Mississippi Valley and the American Northwest. Bancroft prioritizes tangible material evidence over vague traditions or written histories, arguing that physical relics provide positive, corroborative information about their builders. He details artifacts such as obsidian arrowheads, golden ornaments, rock paintings, and intricate pottery, noting that while many reported "marvelous cities" are often misinterpretations of existing Pueblo towns, the sheer volume of evidence confirms a deep antiquity for these civilizations. A central thesis of the work challenges prevailing theories regarding Aztec migration or the existence of extinct races in the Southwest. Bancroft asserts that ruins in New Mexico and Arizona are the direct works of the ancestors of present-day Pueblo Indians. He demonstrates that these structures, built with adobe and featuring terrace-like designs without arched ceilings or sculptured idols, differ fundamentally from southern Maya or Aztec architecture. Consequently, he concludes that no extinct race is required to explain these monuments; they represent agricultural, semi-civilized tribes whose decline was driven by warfare with predatory groups like the Apaches and gradual environmental changes rather than sudden cataclysms. The text also explores the distinct civilizations of Central America, highlighting the grandeur of sites like Copan, Palenque, and Uxmal. In Peru, Bancroft examines two epochs of civilization, contrasting aboriginal arts with later engineering feats like paved roads and gold vases. Throughout the volume, he emphasizes that while many specific hieroglyphics may remain undeciphered, the material culture itself tells a clear story of human ingenuity and continuity. By documenting everything from ancient mines in California to the mounds of the Mississippi Valley, Bancroft provides an authoritative guide that corrects historical misconceptions and establishes a robust foundation for understanding the pre-Columbian heritage of the continent.
- LLM editorial rating
- 4.2/5
- Download URL
- https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44104.epub.noimages
- Local file path
-
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People
Authors
- Hubert Howe Bancroft
Classification
Categories
- Indians of North America
- Indians of Central America